9/11 Remembrance Day.
10 Sep 2009 16:37 Africa/Lagos
Global Child Mortality Continues to Drop
UNICEF and UN Inter-Agency Panel Release New Figures
NEW YORK, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UNICEF today released new figures that show the rate of deaths of children under five years of age continued to decline in 2008.
The data shows a 28 percent decline in the under-five mortality rate, from 90 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990, to 65 deaths per 1000 live births in 2008. According to these estimates, the absolute number of child deaths in 2008 declined to an estimated 8.8 million from 12.5 million in 1990; the base line year for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
"Compared to 1990, 10,000 fewer children are dying every day," said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman. "While progress is being made, it is unacceptable that each year 8.8 million children die before their fifth birthday."
The new estimates are the result of collection and analysis of a range of data sources by demographers and health experts from UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank and the United Nations Population Division, guided by technical advisors from a number of major academic institutions.
The data shows global under-five mortality has decreased steadily over the past two decades, and that the rate of the decline in the under-five mortality rates has increased since the 1990s. The average rate of decline from 2000 to 2008 is 2.3 percent, compared to a 1.4 percent average decline from 1990 to 2000.
"Statistics tend to be clinical and antiseptic, however the practical, real world implications of this development cannot be ignored," said Caryl Stern, President and CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "These new numbers illustrate that 1500 more kids a day are waking up to see the sunrise, play with their friends and make their mothers smile."
Public health experts attribute the continuing decline to increased use of key health interventions, such as immunizations, including measles vaccinations, the use of insecticide-treated bednets to prevent malaria and Vitamin A supplementation. Where these interventions have increased, positive results have followed.
Progress has been seen in every part of the world, and even in some of the least-developed countries. A key example is Malawi, one of ten high under-five mortality countries that is now on track to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of a two-thirds reduction in under-five mortality between 1990 and 2015.
Estimates show that under-five mortality in Malawi has fallen from 225 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990, to 100 per thousand in 2008. In 2000, only 3 percent of children under five slept under a mosquito net - a key means of preventing malaria, whereas by 2006 this had risen to 25 percent. Malawi has focused its limited resources on improvements in health and health systems and the use of the most effective interventions, with the result that significant numbers of children's lives have been saved.
"We know what interventions work and we need to scale up those interventions and make sure they are available wherever they are needed," Stern added. "Reaching zero preventable deaths is not a dream, we can achieve this, but momentum shouldn't just be sustained, it has to be accelerated!"
The new data also shows that seven of the 67 high mortality countries (those with under-five mortality rates of 40 per thousand live births or higher) have consistently achieved annual rates of reduction of under-five mortality of 4.5 percent or higher. These are Nepal, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Bolivia and Malawi.
Impressive gains have also been made in countries that are not fully on track to meet the Millennium goal. Niger, Mozambique and Ethiopia have all reduced under-five mortality by more than 100 per 1000 live births since 1990.
While progress has been made in many countries, the global rate of improvement is still insufficient to reach the MDG, and Africa and Asia combined still account for 93 percent of all under-five deaths that occur each year in the developing world.
"A handful of countries with large populations bear a disproportionate burden of under-five deaths, with 40 percent of the world's under-five deaths occurring in just three countries: India, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo," said Veneman. "Unless mortality in these countries can be significantly reduced, the MDG targets will not be met."
In some countries, progress is slow or non-existent. In South Africa the under-five mortality rate has actually gone up since 1990. The health of the child is inextricably linked to the health of the mother and South Africa has the highest number of women living with HIV in the world. Recent commitments by the government to scale up interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS should help improve the situation.
The survey data incorporated in these estimates generally reflects mortality over the preceding three to five years. This means that major improvements in provision of nets for malaria prevention, of vaccines against meningitis (HiB) and of vitamin A supplementation, improved prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and of pediatric HIV, and further progress on protecting against measles and tetanus may not yet be fully reflected in the data.
Progress can be accelerated even in the poorest environments, through integrated, evidence-driven, community-based health programs that focus on addressing the major causes of death -- pneumonia, diarrhea, newborn disorders, malaria, HIV and under-nutrition.
The two leading causes of under-five mortality are pneumonia and diarrhea. New tools, such as vaccines against pneumococcal pneumonia and rotaviral diarrhea, could provide additional momentum.
"Achieving the Millennium Development Goal target of a two-thirds reduction in under-five mortality by 2015 will require a strong sense of urgency with targeted resources for greater progress," said Veneman.
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.
UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress--the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
Source: U.S. Fund for UNICEF
CONTACT: Richard Alleyne, +1-212-880-9177, ralleyne@unicefusa.org, or
Lauren Monahan, +1-212-880-9136, lmonahan@unicefusa.org, both of U.S. Fund for
UNICEF
Web Site: http://www.unicefusa.org/
Startup Weekend Nigeria Rocks!
Friday, September 11, 2009
The 10 Most Expensive Cities in Nigeria
Picture of the Civic Centre in Lagos at night. Photograph by Grace Bernard, 2009.
The 10 Most Expensive Cities in Nigeria
The mega city of Lagos tops the list of the most expensive cities in Nigeria, because of the high cost of living in the commercial capital of the most populous country in Africa. Lagos is followed by Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. and Port Harcourt, the oil rich capital of Rivers State.
What makes Lagos and the other capital cities expensive are the exorbitant rents for accommodation, overpriced real estate, expensive hotels and inflation caused by the daily influx of both local and international migrants and expatriates.
The Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos.
Lagos, the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa, can boast of several exotic beaches and five star hotels and ritzy night life charged by the hottest music stars like King Sunny Adé, Fela Kuti the first son of the legendary king of Afrobeat Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Lagbaja, the masked one and the racy new Hip-Hop, Rap and Hip life stars like Tuface Idibia, D’bange, MI, Face, Ruggedman and many other upcoming Turks of the hyperactive Nigerian music scene and of course Lagos is the home of Nollywood, the third largest movie industry in the world. The spate of kidnappings of both foreign and local oil workers in the volatile cities of the Niger Delta drove many of them to relocate to the safe haven of Lagos where majority of the diplomatic community prefer to stay. The residents are competitive in the rat race with lusts for the luxuries of ostentatious lifestyles copied from Western nations. The hotels charge more than even many five star hotels in New York, Paris and London and renting a condo or an apartment can cost $30, 000 or more a year and buying one can cost you over a million dollars in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki.
1. Lagos
2. Abuja
3. Port Harcourt
4. Warri
5. Kaduna
6. Asaba
7. Aba
8. Owerri
9. Umuahia
10. Enugu
The most expensive cities in the world 2009 (ECA International Survey)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Nigerian Poet Publishes Collection Illustrating Life in the African Continent
9 Sep 2009 12:45 Africa/Lagos
Nigerian Poet Publishes Collection Illustrating Life in the African Continent
His Message Offers Hope in Spite of Dismal Circumstances
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- "Shadows of Existence" (published by iUniverse), by Nigerian poet Jekwu Ozoemene, depicts images of the African continent, its people and the universal love that surrounds them in a powerful collection of 46 poems.
Ozoemene became inspired to write his first collection of poetry after listening to Professor Karen King-Aribisala's reading of D.H. Lawrence's "Snake" at the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1993. That reading instigated his literary creativity and introduced him to poetry as an art form -- with its distinctive sounds, rhythms and metaphors.
"Shadows of Existence" showcases the thoughts of a young man who matured much faster than others and struggles with the challenges and frustrations of the adult world: the abuse of women, bigotry, religious differences and marriage. In his attempt to digest the difficulties of adult life, Ozoemene found many of the answers he was looking for in his poetry.
"It's a continent of 53 countries, I scream in my head
Her response, a tilted lgbo babble I barely heard
Like a confluence of a thousand indigenous African tongues
Spoken from the matrix of humanity, voice of all songs
Africa's womb of which bore the womb that bore her grand mum"
- Africa Is Not a Country, Lagos Is My Song
With profound and moving words, Ozoemene discusses the controversial topics that consumed his thoughts, while sharing an inspiring message of hope and tolerance for his homeland.
About the Author
Jekwu Ozoemene is a poet and playwright, who earned an English degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and his specialist MBA in Finance from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. Ozoemene currently resides with his wife and children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where he works as a senior manager with a bank.
"Shadows of Existence: An Anthology of Poetry"
Available from: http://www.iuniverse.com/, http://www.bn.com/, and http://www.amazon.com/
iUniverse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit http://www.iuniverse.com/.
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Promotional Services Department
Tel: 1-800-AUTHORS
Fax: 812-355-4078
Email: promotions@iuniverse.com
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.
Source: iUniverse
CONTACT: Promotional Services Department of iUniverse, +1-800-AUTHORS,
or Fax, +1-812-355-4078, promotions@iuniverse.com
Web Site: http://www.iuniverse.com/
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
9 Sep 2009
15:24
China Armco Metals Finalizes Contract to Supply Iron Ore Valued Approximately $8 Million in the Third Quarter of 2009
13:09
China Armco Metals Completes Contract to Supply Iron Ore Valued Approximately $8 Million in the Third Quarter of 2009
12:45
Nigerian Poet Publishes Collection Illustrating Life in the African Continent
12:07
U.S. Special Envoy Gration to Travel to Sudan
01:00
World Publics Strongly Favor International Observers for Elections, Including Their Own
8 Sep 2009
17:25
GUINNESS Announces Further Details for Arthur's Day Global Celebrations
12:00
Biomatrica Makes Several Key Appointments as Part of Continued Growth Plan
4 Sep 2009
17:06
Gerald A. Beathard Fellowship Awarded to Dr. Stephen Osaguona
Startup Weekend Nigeria Rocks!
Nigerian Poet Publishes Collection Illustrating Life in the African Continent
His Message Offers Hope in Spite of Dismal Circumstances
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- "Shadows of Existence" (published by iUniverse), by Nigerian poet Jekwu Ozoemene, depicts images of the African continent, its people and the universal love that surrounds them in a powerful collection of 46 poems.
Ozoemene became inspired to write his first collection of poetry after listening to Professor Karen King-Aribisala's reading of D.H. Lawrence's "Snake" at the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1993. That reading instigated his literary creativity and introduced him to poetry as an art form -- with its distinctive sounds, rhythms and metaphors.
"Shadows of Existence" showcases the thoughts of a young man who matured much faster than others and struggles with the challenges and frustrations of the adult world: the abuse of women, bigotry, religious differences and marriage. In his attempt to digest the difficulties of adult life, Ozoemene found many of the answers he was looking for in his poetry.
"It's a continent of 53 countries, I scream in my head
Her response, a tilted lgbo babble I barely heard
Like a confluence of a thousand indigenous African tongues
Spoken from the matrix of humanity, voice of all songs
Africa's womb of which bore the womb that bore her grand mum"
- Africa Is Not a Country, Lagos Is My Song
With profound and moving words, Ozoemene discusses the controversial topics that consumed his thoughts, while sharing an inspiring message of hope and tolerance for his homeland.
About the Author
Jekwu Ozoemene is a poet and playwright, who earned an English degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and his specialist MBA in Finance from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. Ozoemene currently resides with his wife and children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where he works as a senior manager with a bank.
"Shadows of Existence: An Anthology of Poetry"
Available from: http://www.iuniverse.com/, http://www.bn.com/, and http://www.amazon.com/
iUniverse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit http://www.iuniverse.com/.
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Promotional Services Department
Tel: 1-800-AUTHORS
Fax: 812-355-4078
Email: promotions@iuniverse.com
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.
Source: iUniverse
CONTACT: Promotional Services Department of iUniverse, +1-800-AUTHORS,
or Fax, +1-812-355-4078, promotions@iuniverse.com
Web Site: http://www.iuniverse.com/
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
9 Sep 2009
15:24
China Armco Metals Finalizes Contract to Supply Iron Ore Valued Approximately $8 Million in the Third Quarter of 2009
13:09
China Armco Metals Completes Contract to Supply Iron Ore Valued Approximately $8 Million in the Third Quarter of 2009
12:45
Nigerian Poet Publishes Collection Illustrating Life in the African Continent
12:07
U.S. Special Envoy Gration to Travel to Sudan
01:00
World Publics Strongly Favor International Observers for Elections, Including Their Own
8 Sep 2009
17:25
GUINNESS Announces Further Details for Arthur's Day Global Celebrations
12:00
Biomatrica Makes Several Key Appointments as Part of Continued Growth Plan
4 Sep 2009
17:06
Gerald A. Beathard Fellowship Awarded to Dr. Stephen Osaguona
Startup Weekend Nigeria Rocks!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Gani Fawehinmi: The Conscience of the Nation is Gone!
Chief Abdul-Ganiyu "Gani" Oyesola Fawehinmi, (22 April 1938 - 05 September 2009)
Honorable Gani Fawehinmi was the conscience of Nigeria and there will never be another Gani Fawehinmi again. He and the late Afro beat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti were the most outspoken Nigerian human rights activists of the 20th century. As Fela used his music as the instrument and vehicle for the social and political emancipation of the poor masses, Gani used his law to fight for justice and liberty in Nigeria.
For decades Gani risked life to defend the defenseless poor and powerless people of Nigeria and was imprisoned dozens of times for his protests against military dictatorship and injustice. Gani was a fearless and incorruptible prisoner of conscience. Gani was a great man and would be remembered as one of the greatest civil rights leaders of our time.
Nigerians Report hereby proposes that we should have a special day to be celebrated as a Gani Fawehinmi Day in Nigeria.
Chief Abdul-Ganiyu "Gani" Oyesola Fawehinmi, (22 April 1938 - 05 September 2009) was a Nigerian author, publisher, philanthropist, social critic, human and civil rights lawyer, politician and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) (the equivalent of the rank of Queen's Counsel in the United Kingdom).
Startup Weekend Nigeria Rocks!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Nigeria / ECOWAS heads of state to hold extra-ordinary summit in Abuja
3 Sep 2009 12:19 Africa/Lagos
Nigeria / ECOWAS heads of state to hold extra-ordinary summit in Abuja
ABUJA, September 3, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- ECOWAS Heads of State and Government are to meet on Saturday, 5th September 2009 in Abuja in an extra-ordinary summit to hold talks on Niger which has been embroiled in a
constitutional crisis.
The summit will consider the report of the ad-hoc ministerial committee which was set up by the Mediation and Security Council at its last meeting on Monday, 24th August 2009 in Abuja.
Composed of Benin, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, the ad-hoc ministerial
committee which arrived in Niamey on Saturday, 29th August 2009 was mandated, among
others, to work with all political stakeholders in Niger, including the National Council for Dialogue, towards the restoration of dialogue and consensus which characterized the political environment before the current crisis.
Specifically, the ad-hoc ministerial committee was commissioned to gather all relevant information that may assist in arriving at an accurate assessment of the political situation in Niger; hold consultations with the President of Niger, government officials, civil society groups, the media, traditional leaders and other relevant political stakeholders in the country as well as draw up a report and a set of recommendations based on the observations made during the mission.
The ad-hoc ministerial committee's report is expected to include the status of political activists who were detained for their opposition to the actions of President Mamadou Tandja. The Mediation and Security has since called for their release.
The extra-ordinary summit is yet another effort by ECOWAS leaders to have the Nigerien authorities to respect the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance as well as the country's Constitution.
PRESS RELEASE
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
Published by: Department of Communication, ECOWAS Commission
No 101 Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro District Abuja – Nigeria
Publé par: Le Départment de la Communication, La Commission de la CEDEAO
No 101 Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro District Abuja – Nigeria
Tel: (234) (9)3147641 Fax: (234) (9)3147641/3005 E-mail: info@ecowas.int
In June 2009, ECOWAS Chairman and President of Nigeria, Musa Yar'adua, sent
President Tandja a special message through former Nigerian Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, to convey the concerns of ECOWAS and Nigeria over the
constitutional crisis in Niger.
The regional Council of the Wise and a tripartite delegation comprising the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Special Representative of the United Nation's Secretary General to West Africa and an African Union envoy to Niger also met with President Tandja in Niamey towards resolving the crisis.
Source: Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)
Startup Weekend Nigeria Rocks!
Nigeria / ECOWAS heads of state to hold extra-ordinary summit in Abuja
ABUJA, September 3, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- ECOWAS Heads of State and Government are to meet on Saturday, 5th September 2009 in Abuja in an extra-ordinary summit to hold talks on Niger which has been embroiled in a
constitutional crisis.
The summit will consider the report of the ad-hoc ministerial committee which was set up by the Mediation and Security Council at its last meeting on Monday, 24th August 2009 in Abuja.
Composed of Benin, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, the ad-hoc ministerial
committee which arrived in Niamey on Saturday, 29th August 2009 was mandated, among
others, to work with all political stakeholders in Niger, including the National Council for Dialogue, towards the restoration of dialogue and consensus which characterized the political environment before the current crisis.
Specifically, the ad-hoc ministerial committee was commissioned to gather all relevant information that may assist in arriving at an accurate assessment of the political situation in Niger; hold consultations with the President of Niger, government officials, civil society groups, the media, traditional leaders and other relevant political stakeholders in the country as well as draw up a report and a set of recommendations based on the observations made during the mission.
The ad-hoc ministerial committee's report is expected to include the status of political activists who were detained for their opposition to the actions of President Mamadou Tandja. The Mediation and Security has since called for their release.
The extra-ordinary summit is yet another effort by ECOWAS leaders to have the Nigerien authorities to respect the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance as well as the country's Constitution.
PRESS RELEASE
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
Published by: Department of Communication, ECOWAS Commission
No 101 Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro District Abuja – Nigeria
Publé par: Le Départment de la Communication, La Commission de la CEDEAO
No 101 Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro District Abuja – Nigeria
Tel: (234) (9)3147641 Fax: (234) (9)3147641/3005 E-mail: info@ecowas.int
In June 2009, ECOWAS Chairman and President of Nigeria, Musa Yar'adua, sent
President Tandja a special message through former Nigerian Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, to convey the concerns of ECOWAS and Nigeria over the
constitutional crisis in Niger.
The regional Council of the Wise and a tripartite delegation comprising the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Special Representative of the United Nation's Secretary General to West Africa and an African Union envoy to Niger also met with President Tandja in Niamey towards resolving the crisis.
Source: Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)
Startup Weekend Nigeria Rocks!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Pfizer To Pay $2.3 Billion For Fraudulent Marketing
2 Sep 2009 16:47 Africa/Lagos
Justice Department Announces Largest Health Care Fraud Settlement in Its History
Pfizer To Pay $2.3 Billion For Fraudulent Marketing
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc. (hereinafter together "Pfizer") have agreed to pay $2.3 billion, the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice, to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from the illegal promotion of certain pharmaceutical products, the Justice Department announced today.
Pharmacia & Upjohn Company has agreed to plead guilty to a felony violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for misbranding Bextra with the intent to defraud or mislead. Bextra is an anti-inflammatory drug that Pfizer pulled from the market in 2005. Under the provisions of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, a company must specify the intended uses of a product in its new drug application to FDA. Once approved, the drug may not be marketed or promoted for so-called "off-label" uses - i.e., any use not specified in an application and approved by FDA. Pfizer promoted the sale of Bextra for several uses and dosages that the FDA specifically declined to approve due to safety concerns. The company will pay a criminal fine of $1.195 billion, the largest criminal fine ever imposed in the United States for any matter. Pharmacia & Upjohn will also forfeit $105 million, for a total criminal resolution of $1.3 billion.
In addition, Pfizer has agreed to pay $1 billion to resolve allegations under the civil False Claims Act that the company illegally promoted four drugs - Bextra; Geodon, an anti-psychotic drug; Zyvox, an antibiotic; and Lyrica, an anti-epileptic drug - and caused false claims to be submitted to government health care programs for uses that were not medically accepted indications and therefore not covered by those programs. The civil settlement also resolves allegations that Pfizer paid kickbacks to health care providers to induce them to prescribe these, as well as other, drugs. The federal share of the civil settlement is $668,514,830, and the state Medicaid share of the civil settlement is $331,485,170. This is the largest civil fraud settlement in history against a pharmaceutical company.
As part of the settlement, Pfizer also has agreed to enter into an expansive corporate integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. That agreement provides for procedures and reviews to be put in place to avoid and promptly detect conduct similar to that which gave rise to this matter.
Whistleblower lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act that are pending in the District of Massachusetts, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of Kentucky triggered this investigation. As a part of today's resolution, six whistleblowers will receive payments totaling more than $102 million from the federal share of the civil recovery.
The U.S. Attorney's offices for the District of Massachusetts, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Eastern District of Kentucky, and the Civil Division of the Department of Justice handled these cases. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts led the criminal investigation of Bextra. The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the FBI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Office of Criminal Investigations for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Veterans' Administration's (VA) Office of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Inspector General for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Office of the Inspector General for the United States Postal Service (USPS), the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units and the offices of various state Attorneys General.
"Today's landmark settlement is an example of the Department of Justice's ongoing and intensive efforts to protect the American public and recover funds for the federal treasury and the public from those who seek to earn a profit through fraud. It shows one of the many ways in which federal government, in partnership with its state and local allies, can help the American people at a time when budgets are tight and health care costs are increasing," said Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli. "This settlement is a testament to the type of broad, coordinated effort among federal agencies and with our state and local partners that is at the core of the Department of Justice's approach to law enforcement."
"This historic settlement will return nearly $1 billion to Medicare, Medicaid, and other government insurance programs, securing their future for the Americans who depend on these programs," said Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services. "The Department of Health and Human Services will continue to seek opportunities to work with its government partners to prosecute fraud wherever we can find it. But we will also look for new ways to prevent fraud before it happens. Health care is too important to let a single dollar go to waste."
"Illegal conduct and fraud by pharmaceutical companies puts the public health at risk, corrupts medical decisions by health care providers, and costs the government billions of dollars," said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. "This civil settlement and plea agreement by Pfizer represent yet another example of what penalties will be faced when a pharmaceutical company puts profits ahead of patient welfare."
"The size and seriousness of this resolution, including the huge criminal fine of $1.3 billion, reflect the seriousness and scope of Pfizer's crimes," said Mike Loucks, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. "Pfizer violated the law over an extensive time period. Furthermore, at the very same time Pfizer was in our office negotiating and resolving the allegations of criminal conduct by its then newly acquired subsidiary, Warner-Lambert, Pfizer was itself in its other operations violating those very same laws. Today's enormous fine demonstrates that such blatant and continued disregard of the law will not be tolerated."
"Although these types of investigations are often long and complicated and require many resources to achieve positive results, the FBI will not be deterred from continuing to ensure that pharmaceutical companies conduct business in a lawful manner," said Kevin Perkins, FBI Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division.
"This resolution protects the FDA in its vital mission of ensuring that drugs are safe and effective. When manufacturers undermine the FDA's rules, they interfere with a doctor's judgment and can put patient health at risk," commented Michael L. Levy, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. "The public trusts companies to market their drugs for uses that FDA has approved, and trusts that doctors are using independent judgment. Federal health dollars should only be spent on treatment decisions untainted by misinformation from manufacturers concerned with the bottom line."
"This settlement demonstrates the ongoing efforts to pursue violations of the False Claims Act and recover taxpayer dollars for the Medicare and Medicaid programs," noted Jim Zerhusen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
"This historic settlement emphasizes the government's commitment to corporate and individual accountability and to transparency throughout the pharmaceutical industry," said Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. "The corporate integrity agreement requires senior Pfizer executives and board members to complete annual compliance certifications and opens Pfizer to more public scrutiny by requiring it to make detailed disclosures on its Web site. We expect this agreement to increase integrity in the marketing of pharmaceuticals."
"The off-label promotion of pharmaceutical drugs by Pfizer significantly impacted the integrity of TRICARE, the Department of Defense's healthcare system," said Sharon Woods, Director, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. "This illegal activity increases patients' costs, threatens their safety and negatively affects the delivery of healthcare services to the over nine million military members, retirees and their families who rely on this system. Today's charges and settlement demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and its law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those that abuse the government's healthcare programs at the expense of the taxpayers and patients."
"Federal employees deserve health care providers and suppliers, including drug manufacturers, that meet the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior," said Patrick E. McFarland, Inspector General of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. "Today's settlement reminds the pharmaceutical industry that it must observe those standards and reflects the commitment of federal law enforcement organizations to pursue improper and illegal conduct that places health care consumers at risk."
"Health care fraud has a significant financial impact on the Postal Service. This case alone impacted more than 10,000 postal employees on workers' compensation who were treated with these drugs," said Joseph Finn, Special Agent in Charge for the Postal Service's Office of Inspector General. "Last year the Postal Service paid more than $1 billion in workers' compensation benefits to postal employees injured on the job."
To view public documents on this matter, please go to our Web site:
www.usdoj.gov/usao/ma/press.html
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office
CONTACT: Christina Dilorio-Sterling of U.S. Attorney's Office,
+1-617-748-3356, USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ma/press.html
Startup Weekend Nigeria Rocks!
Justice Department Announces Largest Health Care Fraud Settlement in Its History
Pfizer To Pay $2.3 Billion For Fraudulent Marketing
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc. (hereinafter together "Pfizer") have agreed to pay $2.3 billion, the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice, to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from the illegal promotion of certain pharmaceutical products, the Justice Department announced today.
Pharmacia & Upjohn Company has agreed to plead guilty to a felony violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for misbranding Bextra with the intent to defraud or mislead. Bextra is an anti-inflammatory drug that Pfizer pulled from the market in 2005. Under the provisions of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, a company must specify the intended uses of a product in its new drug application to FDA. Once approved, the drug may not be marketed or promoted for so-called "off-label" uses - i.e., any use not specified in an application and approved by FDA. Pfizer promoted the sale of Bextra for several uses and dosages that the FDA specifically declined to approve due to safety concerns. The company will pay a criminal fine of $1.195 billion, the largest criminal fine ever imposed in the United States for any matter. Pharmacia & Upjohn will also forfeit $105 million, for a total criminal resolution of $1.3 billion.
In addition, Pfizer has agreed to pay $1 billion to resolve allegations under the civil False Claims Act that the company illegally promoted four drugs - Bextra; Geodon, an anti-psychotic drug; Zyvox, an antibiotic; and Lyrica, an anti-epileptic drug - and caused false claims to be submitted to government health care programs for uses that were not medically accepted indications and therefore not covered by those programs. The civil settlement also resolves allegations that Pfizer paid kickbacks to health care providers to induce them to prescribe these, as well as other, drugs. The federal share of the civil settlement is $668,514,830, and the state Medicaid share of the civil settlement is $331,485,170. This is the largest civil fraud settlement in history against a pharmaceutical company.
As part of the settlement, Pfizer also has agreed to enter into an expansive corporate integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. That agreement provides for procedures and reviews to be put in place to avoid and promptly detect conduct similar to that which gave rise to this matter.
Whistleblower lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act that are pending in the District of Massachusetts, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of Kentucky triggered this investigation. As a part of today's resolution, six whistleblowers will receive payments totaling more than $102 million from the federal share of the civil recovery.
The U.S. Attorney's offices for the District of Massachusetts, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Eastern District of Kentucky, and the Civil Division of the Department of Justice handled these cases. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts led the criminal investigation of Bextra. The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the FBI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Office of Criminal Investigations for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Veterans' Administration's (VA) Office of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Inspector General for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Office of the Inspector General for the United States Postal Service (USPS), the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units and the offices of various state Attorneys General.
"Today's landmark settlement is an example of the Department of Justice's ongoing and intensive efforts to protect the American public and recover funds for the federal treasury and the public from those who seek to earn a profit through fraud. It shows one of the many ways in which federal government, in partnership with its state and local allies, can help the American people at a time when budgets are tight and health care costs are increasing," said Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli. "This settlement is a testament to the type of broad, coordinated effort among federal agencies and with our state and local partners that is at the core of the Department of Justice's approach to law enforcement."
"This historic settlement will return nearly $1 billion to Medicare, Medicaid, and other government insurance programs, securing their future for the Americans who depend on these programs," said Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services. "The Department of Health and Human Services will continue to seek opportunities to work with its government partners to prosecute fraud wherever we can find it. But we will also look for new ways to prevent fraud before it happens. Health care is too important to let a single dollar go to waste."
"Illegal conduct and fraud by pharmaceutical companies puts the public health at risk, corrupts medical decisions by health care providers, and costs the government billions of dollars," said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. "This civil settlement and plea agreement by Pfizer represent yet another example of what penalties will be faced when a pharmaceutical company puts profits ahead of patient welfare."
"The size and seriousness of this resolution, including the huge criminal fine of $1.3 billion, reflect the seriousness and scope of Pfizer's crimes," said Mike Loucks, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. "Pfizer violated the law over an extensive time period. Furthermore, at the very same time Pfizer was in our office negotiating and resolving the allegations of criminal conduct by its then newly acquired subsidiary, Warner-Lambert, Pfizer was itself in its other operations violating those very same laws. Today's enormous fine demonstrates that such blatant and continued disregard of the law will not be tolerated."
"Although these types of investigations are often long and complicated and require many resources to achieve positive results, the FBI will not be deterred from continuing to ensure that pharmaceutical companies conduct business in a lawful manner," said Kevin Perkins, FBI Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division.
"This resolution protects the FDA in its vital mission of ensuring that drugs are safe and effective. When manufacturers undermine the FDA's rules, they interfere with a doctor's judgment and can put patient health at risk," commented Michael L. Levy, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. "The public trusts companies to market their drugs for uses that FDA has approved, and trusts that doctors are using independent judgment. Federal health dollars should only be spent on treatment decisions untainted by misinformation from manufacturers concerned with the bottom line."
"This settlement demonstrates the ongoing efforts to pursue violations of the False Claims Act and recover taxpayer dollars for the Medicare and Medicaid programs," noted Jim Zerhusen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
"This historic settlement emphasizes the government's commitment to corporate and individual accountability and to transparency throughout the pharmaceutical industry," said Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. "The corporate integrity agreement requires senior Pfizer executives and board members to complete annual compliance certifications and opens Pfizer to more public scrutiny by requiring it to make detailed disclosures on its Web site. We expect this agreement to increase integrity in the marketing of pharmaceuticals."
"The off-label promotion of pharmaceutical drugs by Pfizer significantly impacted the integrity of TRICARE, the Department of Defense's healthcare system," said Sharon Woods, Director, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. "This illegal activity increases patients' costs, threatens their safety and negatively affects the delivery of healthcare services to the over nine million military members, retirees and their families who rely on this system. Today's charges and settlement demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and its law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those that abuse the government's healthcare programs at the expense of the taxpayers and patients."
"Federal employees deserve health care providers and suppliers, including drug manufacturers, that meet the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior," said Patrick E. McFarland, Inspector General of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. "Today's settlement reminds the pharmaceutical industry that it must observe those standards and reflects the commitment of federal law enforcement organizations to pursue improper and illegal conduct that places health care consumers at risk."
"Health care fraud has a significant financial impact on the Postal Service. This case alone impacted more than 10,000 postal employees on workers' compensation who were treated with these drugs," said Joseph Finn, Special Agent in Charge for the Postal Service's Office of Inspector General. "Last year the Postal Service paid more than $1 billion in workers' compensation benefits to postal employees injured on the job."
To view public documents on this matter, please go to our Web site:
www.usdoj.gov/usao/ma/press.html
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office
CONTACT: Christina Dilorio-Sterling of U.S. Attorney's Office,
+1-617-748-3356, USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ma/press.html
Startup Weekend Nigeria Rocks!
Moving Nigeria Forward To The Next Level
~ By Roy Agiande
It is no longer news that the world has been hit by a severe financial crisis often compared to the Great Depression of the early 1930s and countless jobs have been lost worldwide due to this catastrophic phenomenon. It is scary to note that developed countries are shedding jobs, recording huge losses, cutting down on production cost and salaries. Worthy of note is the report that the UK has been hit by an unemployment figure of over 2.4 million which is the worst recorded over a decade. These are countries that have a well structured policy of job creation and backup policy to absorb the different fluctuations and shortcomings of the economy. I begin to wonder if there is hope for Nigeria, a less developed country where both the Private and Public sectors are all counting monumental losses, some banks are experiencing what you may call SYSTEMATIC FAILURE; where the Apex Bank has sacked the CEOs of major banks for gross insider abuse and the stock market experiencing a meltdown.
There are so many ways of helping the economy bounce back and diverse from its traditional mono-economic ways. One of which is to inject capital to the ailing and hungry sectors. Startup Weekend Nigeria is one of such avenues of doing just that. Fresh and radical business ideas proposed and funded from the scratch and new entrepreneurs are created. If you ask me, it’s like killing two birds with one stone. How?
By creating about 10 companies every Startup Weekend means new jobs would be created as well and the spin-offs could boost the economy, thereby complimenting the government’s efforts of job creation. Secondly, it’s also a way of capital injection to the cash strapped economy. Past minister of finance and present World Bank President, Dr (Mrs.) Ngozi Iweala once said:
“Create entrepreneurs, because it is a definite catalyst for job and wealth creation.”
It might interest you to know that some of the biggest businesses in the United States started as startups which eventually turned to multibillion dollar companies. Believe it or not, Nigeria is blessed with a large array of great thinkers and business minds which are going to be harvested and utilized to full capacity through Startup Weekends in Nigeria. It would also address the issue of the pool of unemployed graduates and those fresh from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme.
It is no longer news that the world has been hit by a severe financial crisis often compared to the Great Depression of the early 1930s and countless jobs have been lost worldwide due to this catastrophic phenomenon. It is scary to note that developed countries are shedding jobs, recording huge losses, cutting down on production cost and salaries. Worthy of note is the report that the UK has been hit by an unemployment figure of over 2.4 million which is the worst recorded over a decade. These are countries that have a well structured policy of job creation and backup policy to absorb the different fluctuations and shortcomings of the economy. I begin to wonder if there is hope for Nigeria, a less developed country where both the Private and Public sectors are all counting monumental losses, some banks are experiencing what you may call SYSTEMATIC FAILURE; where the Apex Bank has sacked the CEOs of major banks for gross insider abuse and the stock market experiencing a meltdown.
There are so many ways of helping the economy bounce back and diverse from its traditional mono-economic ways. One of which is to inject capital to the ailing and hungry sectors. Startup Weekend Nigeria is one of such avenues of doing just that. Fresh and radical business ideas proposed and funded from the scratch and new entrepreneurs are created. If you ask me, it’s like killing two birds with one stone. How?
By creating about 10 companies every Startup Weekend means new jobs would be created as well and the spin-offs could boost the economy, thereby complimenting the government’s efforts of job creation. Secondly, it’s also a way of capital injection to the cash strapped economy. Past minister of finance and present World Bank President, Dr (Mrs.) Ngozi Iweala once said:
“Create entrepreneurs, because it is a definite catalyst for job and wealth creation.”
It might interest you to know that some of the biggest businesses in the United States started as startups which eventually turned to multibillion dollar companies. Believe it or not, Nigeria is blessed with a large array of great thinkers and business minds which are going to be harvested and utilized to full capacity through Startup Weekends in Nigeria. It would also address the issue of the pool of unemployed graduates and those fresh from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Zain Nigeria Partners with Harris Stratex Networks to Build State-of-the-Art Network Operations Center in Lagos
1 Sep 2009 13:30 Africa/Lagos
Zain Nigeria Partners with Harris Stratex Networks to Build State-of-the-Art Network Operations Center in Lagos
Harris Stratex' managed network services expertise and service assurance technology allows operator to reduce operational costs and deliver an enhanced customer experience
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSTX) , a leading provider of wireless solutions that enable the evolution of next-generation fixed and mobile broadband networks, today announced it partnered with Zain Nigeria, a leading mobile operator serving 24 countries in the Middle East and Africa, to launch a new network operations center (NOC) in Lagos. The NOC, which Zain commissioned in July, is part of a full, turnkey project completed by Harris Stratex, which includes NOC design and buildout -- supported by Harris Stratex' NetBoss integrated services assurance technology -- and network process re-engineering and optimization. The new facility is designed to boost the resilience and robustness of Zain's network, enhancing the customer experience while drastically reducing the amount of operational downtime.
"Our customers are our number one priority, and we have an ongoing commitment to offer an increasingly compelling experience, particularly as our customer base and network traffic grows," said Khaled Khorshid, Zain Nigeria's chief operating officer.
According to Mr. Khorshi, "Harris Stratex is a long-standing partner, and we knew they had the right mix of expertise in the managed network services business to deliver a world-class NOC and integrate all our network equipment under one manager-of-manager system. The end result will drive toward our goal of achieving 100 percent network visibility, so we can proactively maintain quality of service and improve our overall operational efficiency."
The state-of-the-art NOC is designed to monitor and manage multi-vendor, multi-protocol network infrastructure, including subscriber access, 4G/WiMax access, IP backhaul and core network technologies, as well as network elements providing energy, security and surveillance controls. It provides around-the-clock network surveillance, performance monitoring and trouble ticket management for voice, video and data networks. The center monitors Zain Nigeria's networks to identify network problems before they can impact business functions or productivity, and seeks to resolve issues remotely from the NOC or by dispatching technicians to network infrastructure sites.
This NOC buildout project was implemented by Harris Stratex Networks in conjunction with Middle East Telecommunication Company (METCO), a communications solutions integrator that addresses customer applications and requirements.
"As an innovative telecom provider with a steadily growing presence in its region, Zain Nigeria needs to know that their network resources and subscriber traffic are functioning reliably on a constant basis," said Mike Pangia, senior vice president and chief sales officer, Harris Stratex. "Our system, which captures a wealth of information about the equipment and network traffic, and makes it easily available to those who need to know, is designed to give them this confidence, to maximize the value of their investment and to help them to provide the world-class services they are known for."
Harris Stratex Global Network Services (GNS) managed network solutions are built on two decades of managed network services expertise and field-proven technology. Harris Stratex offers an extensive managed network services portfolio that includes eTOM-compliant NOC managed services, integrated network management systems, process re-engineering and optimization, and a variety of other offerings designed to enhance the process maturity of an organization. With its suite of network management solutions, and hands-on experience in defining, implementing and improving network operations, Harris Stratex enables customers to focus on their core business with the peace of mind that their network is being managed and optimized around the clock according to their needs.
At the core of the NOC and the Harris Stratex managed network services business are its advanced NetBoss service assurance solutions. The technology platform features highly-sophisticated management features, such as high-volume event processing and advanced, flexible filtering and correlation, enabling operators to quickly find and focus on service-affecting network issues, determine root causes and isolate trouble spots. With more than 200 deployments in 35 countries, the Harris Stratex NetBoss portfolio offers customers field-proven, flexible solutions that scale from element management to geographically dispersed manager of managers. For more information on Harris Stratex' network management technology, please visit the overview webpage.
About Harris Stratex Networks, Inc.
Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of wireless solutions that enable the evolution of next-generation fixed and mobile broadband networks. The company offers reliable, flexible and scalable wireless network solutions, backed by comprehensive professional services and support. Harris Stratex Networks serves all global markets, including mobile network operators, public safety agencies, private network operators, utility and transportation companies, government agencies and broadcasters. Customers in more than 135 countries depend on Harris Stratex Networks to build, expand and upgrade their voice, data and video solutions. Harris Stratex Networks is recognized around the world for innovative, best-in-class wireless networking solutions and services. For more information, visit http://www.harrisstratex.com/.
About Zain
Zain is a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to 69.5 million active customers as at 30 June 2009. In terms of country footprint, Zain is the 3rd largest mobile operator in the world with a commercial presence in 24 countries.
Zain operates in the following countries: Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine (currently known as Paltel Group), Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In Lebanon, the company manages 'mtc-touch' on behalf of the government. In Morocco, Zain owns 31% of Wana Telecom through a joint venture.
Zain offers innovative services in its markets such as 'One Network', the world's first borderless mobile telecommunications network enabling customers when abroad to receive calls and sms without charge and to make voice and data calls at local rates throughout 20 countries in Africa and the Middle East. This service allows a customer to top up airtime in one's home country or from more than 1,000,000 outlets within Zain's One Network footprint.
The Zain brand is wholly owned by Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC, which is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (Stock ticker: ZAIN). Zain is listed in the Financial Times' Global 500 Index which ranks the world's largest companies based on market capitalization (http://www.ft.com/reports/ft5002008). Zain aims to become one of the top ten mobile operators in the world by end of the year 2011. For more, please visit www.zain.com or email info@zain.com.
Trademarks
NetBoss is a registered trademark of Harris Stratex Networks. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Source: Harris Stratex Networks, Inc.
CONTACT: Investors: Mary McGowan, Summit IR Group Inc., +1-408-404-5401,
mary@summitirgroup.com; Media: Jen Anderson, Harris Stratex Networks, Inc.,
+1-919-749-7240, jennifer.anderson@hstx.com; Emeka Oparah, Zain Nigeria,
+234802-222-1120, emeka.oparah@zain.com
Web Site: http://www.harrisstratex.com/
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
1 Sep 2009
13:30
Zain Nigeria Partners with Harris Stratex Networks to Build State-of-the-Art Network Operations Center in Lagos
12:00
Bristow Group to Present at the Jefferies 6th Annual Shipping & Offshore Services Conference
06:01
Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief
Monday, August 31, 2009
'Celebrate Libya'
30 Aug 2009 13:12 Africa/Lagos
Libya Readies to Take Center Stage
Libya Readies to Take Center Stage
Celebrate Libya
TRIPOLI, Libya, August 30/PRNewswire/ --
- Spectacular Opening Event to Headline a Week-long Series of Celebratory
Events
- Libya's Rich and Ancient History Featuring the Jewels of the African
Union to be Showcased
Preparations are near conclusion for 'Celebrate Libya', one of Africa's biggest ever events, in Tripoli today. The grand celebration will then set in motion a week-long series of festivities for the world to enjoy. Libya appears to be striving not only to outdo any of its earlier Al Fateh revolution anniversaries, but perhaps Any event on the continent as well. The historic celebration designed to mark 40 years of Muammar al-Gaddafi, Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution, also commemorates another significant regional milestone - a decade since Africa's countries came together, under his leadership, to form the African Union.
After months of preparation, the festivities are in their final stages on what is considered to be one of the world's largest stages. Working alongside the Libyan Government, international planners, builders and managers have been flown in to ensure next week's success. The architect behind 'Celebrate Libya,' Philippe Skaff, remarks on his experience throughout the project, "I was an explorer about to embark on a journey of a lifetime with the chance to write the most impressive chapter of the story of my life and this unique challenge has evolved in terms of content to extreme proportions. It is a beautiful thing to control the full event management and the people of Libya made it enjoyable and rewarding from start to finish."
Eight hundred performers, including hundreds of dancers, unique African animal structures, military bands, flame ballet, and laser projections will bring to life 12,000 years of the land's rich history and see the 120 meter-wide screen stage fill with water to recreate the Mediterranean Sea. To top off the grand event a fireworks display will light up the sky, launched from ships off the coast of Tripoli. The show is orchestrated by the French company, Group F, who are credited with some of the most impressive light displays including the Eiffel Tower's Millennium Celebrations and the famed Sydney Harbour New Year's Eve.
More than 300,000 people are expected to gather in Tripoli's Green Park along with hundreds of special guests and dignitaries. Place-cards have already been made for the likes of Berlusconi, foreign ambassadors, leaders of industry and celebrities, along with most, if not all, African heads of state who will already be attending the August 31st Africa Union Summit hosted by Libya.
As for the next seven days, unprecedented events are scheduled to sweep through the country introducing some of Libya's lesser known national treasures to the world. Their itineraries boast castles, floating restaurants, touareg horse performers, hot air balloons, island escapes and a circus. Concerts featuring both international and Arab music are to be set in some of the world's best preserved sites of world heritage while images and lights will be projected on monuments in cities across the country.
Ranked as the second wealthiest country in Africa, after Equatorial Guinea, Libya's GDP reached over US$100bn last year and has remained largely unaffected by the global economic crisis. Along with Nigeria, it is also the continent's largest oil producer with reserves of at least 36bn barrels of high quality oil. In a time when the Gulf's reserves are limited, conflict in West Africa, and Russia's logistically difficult business environment, Libya's largely unexplored hydrocarbon industry appears highly promising.
Libya is seen by many as a long hidden treasure. And to the joy of flocking business executives from New York to Tokyo, the 'Gateway to Africa' has been increasingly liberalizing the role of the private sector. The country has even partnered with the Middle East's leader in alternative energy innovation, the UAE, on an ambitious eco-tourism project in the Jebel Akhdar. Other industries with emerging opportunities include telecommunications, real estate and tourism. Plans for a 500-unit Movenpick Hotel with a yacht club and a JW Marriott Hotel in Tripoli's new central business district are already underway.
Libya's sanctions have for decades impaired access to investors and tourists alike, leaving its five UNESCO World Heritage sites pristine yet unseen. The cave drawings found in the Sahara's Fezzan area, date Libyan civilization back to at least 12,000 B.C. and since, the country has experienced occupation under Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Ottomans and Byzantines, all leaving behind traces of their conquests. Visitors to Leptis Magna, Sabratha, or Cyrene can marvel at some of the world's most well preserved ruins, explore the Sahara's exotic wilderness or simply enjoy a holiday break on one of the 1,200 miles of unspoiled coastline.
Libya's rich history, culture and its determination to see change happen will be a celebrated by the most historical opening to the world on September 1st, 2009.
For access to full media materials, visit http://www.celebratelibyapress.com. This site will be updated with new materials and images throughout the week's events.
Contact:
- Bushra Hamwi
- Rebecca Farquhar
- Luiza Carter
- Jordana Tasker - +218-917-171294
or celebratelibya@greybeirut.com
Source: Celebrate Libya
Contact: Bushra Hamwi, Rebecca Farquhar, Luiza Carter, Jordana Tasker - +218-917-171294 or celebratelibya@greybeirut.com
Other related links:
Libyen bereitet sich auf seine grosse Show vor
La Libye s'apprête à prendre le devant de la scène
28 Aug 2009
18:39
Climate change / Africa seeks reparations
27 Aug 2009
06:03
Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief
TRIPOLI, Libya, August 30/PRNewswire/ --
- Spectacular Opening Event to Headline a Week-long Series of Celebratory
Events
- Libya's Rich and Ancient History Featuring the Jewels of the African
Union to be Showcased
Preparations are near conclusion for 'Celebrate Libya', one of Africa's biggest ever events, in Tripoli today. The grand celebration will then set in motion a week-long series of festivities for the world to enjoy. Libya appears to be striving not only to outdo any of its earlier Al Fateh revolution anniversaries, but perhaps Any event on the continent as well. The historic celebration designed to mark 40 years of Muammar al-Gaddafi, Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution, also commemorates another significant regional milestone - a decade since Africa's countries came together, under his leadership, to form the African Union.
After months of preparation, the festivities are in their final stages on what is considered to be one of the world's largest stages. Working alongside the Libyan Government, international planners, builders and managers have been flown in to ensure next week's success. The architect behind 'Celebrate Libya,' Philippe Skaff, remarks on his experience throughout the project, "I was an explorer about to embark on a journey of a lifetime with the chance to write the most impressive chapter of the story of my life and this unique challenge has evolved in terms of content to extreme proportions. It is a beautiful thing to control the full event management and the people of Libya made it enjoyable and rewarding from start to finish."
Eight hundred performers, including hundreds of dancers, unique African animal structures, military bands, flame ballet, and laser projections will bring to life 12,000 years of the land's rich history and see the 120 meter-wide screen stage fill with water to recreate the Mediterranean Sea. To top off the grand event a fireworks display will light up the sky, launched from ships off the coast of Tripoli. The show is orchestrated by the French company, Group F, who are credited with some of the most impressive light displays including the Eiffel Tower's Millennium Celebrations and the famed Sydney Harbour New Year's Eve.
More than 300,000 people are expected to gather in Tripoli's Green Park along with hundreds of special guests and dignitaries. Place-cards have already been made for the likes of Berlusconi, foreign ambassadors, leaders of industry and celebrities, along with most, if not all, African heads of state who will already be attending the August 31st Africa Union Summit hosted by Libya.
As for the next seven days, unprecedented events are scheduled to sweep through the country introducing some of Libya's lesser known national treasures to the world. Their itineraries boast castles, floating restaurants, touareg horse performers, hot air balloons, island escapes and a circus. Concerts featuring both international and Arab music are to be set in some of the world's best preserved sites of world heritage while images and lights will be projected on monuments in cities across the country.
Ranked as the second wealthiest country in Africa, after Equatorial Guinea, Libya's GDP reached over US$100bn last year and has remained largely unaffected by the global economic crisis. Along with Nigeria, it is also the continent's largest oil producer with reserves of at least 36bn barrels of high quality oil. In a time when the Gulf's reserves are limited, conflict in West Africa, and Russia's logistically difficult business environment, Libya's largely unexplored hydrocarbon industry appears highly promising.
Libya is seen by many as a long hidden treasure. And to the joy of flocking business executives from New York to Tokyo, the 'Gateway to Africa' has been increasingly liberalizing the role of the private sector. The country has even partnered with the Middle East's leader in alternative energy innovation, the UAE, on an ambitious eco-tourism project in the Jebel Akhdar. Other industries with emerging opportunities include telecommunications, real estate and tourism. Plans for a 500-unit Movenpick Hotel with a yacht club and a JW Marriott Hotel in Tripoli's new central business district are already underway.
Libya's sanctions have for decades impaired access to investors and tourists alike, leaving its five UNESCO World Heritage sites pristine yet unseen. The cave drawings found in the Sahara's Fezzan area, date Libyan civilization back to at least 12,000 B.C. and since, the country has experienced occupation under Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Ottomans and Byzantines, all leaving behind traces of their conquests. Visitors to Leptis Magna, Sabratha, or Cyrene can marvel at some of the world's most well preserved ruins, explore the Sahara's exotic wilderness or simply enjoy a holiday break on one of the 1,200 miles of unspoiled coastline.
Libya's rich history, culture and its determination to see change happen will be a celebrated by the most historical opening to the world on September 1st, 2009.
For access to full media materials, visit http://www.celebratelibyapress.com. This site will be updated with new materials and images throughout the week's events.
Contact:
- Bushra Hamwi
- Rebecca Farquhar
- Luiza Carter
- Jordana Tasker - +218-917-171294
or celebratelibya@greybeirut.com
Source: Celebrate Libya
Contact: Bushra Hamwi, Rebecca Farquhar, Luiza Carter, Jordana Tasker - +218-917-171294 or celebratelibya@greybeirut.com
Other related links:
Libyen bereitet sich auf seine grosse Show vor
La Libye s'apprête à prendre le devant de la scène
28 Aug 2009
18:39
Climate change / Africa seeks reparations
27 Aug 2009
06:03
Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief
Friday, August 28, 2009
Nigeria builds first Ozone village in Africa
24 Aug 2009 19:08 Africa/Lagos
Nigeria builds first Ozone village in Africa
ABUJA, August 24, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Nigerian Government is building an Ozone village to serve as a technology development.
The announcement was made by the Nigerian Federal Minster of Environment, John Ode at the opening of the 4 days ODS Officers Network (ODSONET) Joint meeting, which is being held in Abuja, Nigeria.
The village is located in Ogun State. As part of this project, some locally fabricated prototype Ozone friendly machines have been developed. The machines include a box of foaming machines, CFC recovery and recycling machine and hydrocarbon refrigerant production machine.
The box is said to be globally competitive and the initiative will be presented to the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol to consider the Hydro carbon production machine as a pilot demonstration project to be considered under the HCFC programme.
The Montreal Protocol requires countries to also start freeze the consumption of hydro fluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 1st January, 2013 and some countries have already started restricting the importation of HCFCs to enable them meet the 2013 target.
The Head of Paris-based UNEP OzonAction Branch, Rajendra Shende said: “HCFCs have a high potential of global warming. Unlike for the CFCs where the phase out plans were only meant to address the ozone depleting potential, we now want to also consider the value added to the mitigation of the climate change. In phase out the HCFC we will also be counting how much global warming potential we will help reduce”.
Judging from past experience in CFC phase out, it is likely that there will be an influx in import of equipment using HCFCs towards African countries as other parts of the world will be grappling to get rid of there unwanted uses.
“This will surely increase to demand in HCFC making it difficult to many countries to meet their obligation. Most countries present here are enforcing their ODS Regulations which controls importation of ODS including HCFC. But I can assure you that regulations alone will not help if they are not backed up with a good and well funded and assisted phase-out Programme” Mr. Shende added.
The ongoing meeting is meant to provide a platform for Ozone Officers to compare note on the measures taken in the past years and draw the lessons learnt and in a few specific case still needing readjustment.
It is expected that this Joint meeting, which also brings together journalists from different parts of Africa, would allow countries in the region to exchange views on the process for the development of their respective HCFC Management Plans.
Note to editors:
Hydro chlorofluorocarbons, known as HCFCs are ozone depleting substances (ODS) that are used mostly as refrigerants or foam blowing agents.
For More Information Please Contact: Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson, Office of the Executive Director, on Tel: +254 20 762 3084; Mobile: +254 733 632 755, E-mail: Nick.Nuttall@unep.org or Angele Luh-Sy, Regional Information Officer, on Tel: 254 20 762 4292, Mobile: 254 722 429 770, E-mail: Angele.Luh@unep.org
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
27 Aug 2009
06:03
Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief
05:32
Addax Petroleum initie une campagne d'exploration dans une zone de <<>> (développement en partenariat)
05:27
Addax Petroleum beginnt mit Explorationskampagne in der gemeinsamen Entwicklungszone (Joint Development Zone/JDZ) > (développement en partenariat)" src="http://media.prnewswire.com/en/images/icons/french.gif" border=0>
26 Aug 2009
11:53
Addax Petroleum Commences Exploration Campaign in Joint Development Zone
10:58
Addax Petroleum commences exploration campaign in joint development zone
09:23
CNOOC Ltd. Announces First Half-Year Results with Great Increase of Production and Excellent Exploration Performance
08:00
Leading Fingerprint Software Chosen to Enroll and Verify Pilgrims at Hajj by the Kaduna State Muslims Pilgrims Board in Nigeria
24 Aug 2009
21:06
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund Releases Monthly Portfolio Update
19:08
Nigeria builds first Ozone village in Africa
19:08
Sealing the Hole and Sealing the Deal / Resolve of African Countries 135 days Before 2010 Deadline for Total Phase out of CFCs / Confirming the success story as 100% African countries are set to meet the deadline
15:51
IBM Expands Corporate Service Corps in Emerging Markets
14:54
Bristow Group Announces Preferred Dividend and Mandatory Conversion of Preferred Stock
12:50
CDII Trading, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of China Direct Industries, and China Armco Metals Enter into Strategic Partnership Agreement for Metals Procurement
Nigeria builds first Ozone village in Africa
ABUJA, August 24, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Nigerian Government is building an Ozone village to serve as a technology development.
The announcement was made by the Nigerian Federal Minster of Environment, John Ode at the opening of the 4 days ODS Officers Network (ODSONET) Joint meeting, which is being held in Abuja, Nigeria.
The village is located in Ogun State. As part of this project, some locally fabricated prototype Ozone friendly machines have been developed. The machines include a box of foaming machines, CFC recovery and recycling machine and hydrocarbon refrigerant production machine.
The box is said to be globally competitive and the initiative will be presented to the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol to consider the Hydro carbon production machine as a pilot demonstration project to be considered under the HCFC programme.
The Montreal Protocol requires countries to also start freeze the consumption of hydro fluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 1st January, 2013 and some countries have already started restricting the importation of HCFCs to enable them meet the 2013 target.
The Head of Paris-based UNEP OzonAction Branch, Rajendra Shende said: “HCFCs have a high potential of global warming. Unlike for the CFCs where the phase out plans were only meant to address the ozone depleting potential, we now want to also consider the value added to the mitigation of the climate change. In phase out the HCFC we will also be counting how much global warming potential we will help reduce”.
Judging from past experience in CFC phase out, it is likely that there will be an influx in import of equipment using HCFCs towards African countries as other parts of the world will be grappling to get rid of there unwanted uses.
“This will surely increase to demand in HCFC making it difficult to many countries to meet their obligation. Most countries present here are enforcing their ODS Regulations which controls importation of ODS including HCFC. But I can assure you that regulations alone will not help if they are not backed up with a good and well funded and assisted phase-out Programme” Mr. Shende added.
The ongoing meeting is meant to provide a platform for Ozone Officers to compare note on the measures taken in the past years and draw the lessons learnt and in a few specific case still needing readjustment.
It is expected that this Joint meeting, which also brings together journalists from different parts of Africa, would allow countries in the region to exchange views on the process for the development of their respective HCFC Management Plans.
Note to editors:
Hydro chlorofluorocarbons, known as HCFCs are ozone depleting substances (ODS) that are used mostly as refrigerants or foam blowing agents.
For More Information Please Contact: Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson, Office of the Executive Director, on Tel: +254 20 762 3084; Mobile: +254 733 632 755, E-mail: Nick.Nuttall@unep.org or Angele Luh-Sy, Regional Information Officer, on Tel: 254 20 762 4292, Mobile: 254 722 429 770, E-mail: Angele.Luh@unep.org
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
27 Aug 2009
06:03
Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief
05:32
Addax Petroleum initie une campagne d'exploration dans une zone de <<>> (développement en partenariat)
05:27
Addax Petroleum beginnt mit Explorationskampagne in der gemeinsamen Entwicklungszone (Joint Development Zone/JDZ) > (développement en partenariat)" src="http://media.prnewswire.com/en/images/icons/french.gif" border=0>
26 Aug 2009
11:53
Addax Petroleum Commences Exploration Campaign in Joint Development Zone
10:58
Addax Petroleum commences exploration campaign in joint development zone
09:23
CNOOC Ltd. Announces First Half-Year Results with Great Increase of Production and Excellent Exploration Performance
08:00
Leading Fingerprint Software Chosen to Enroll and Verify Pilgrims at Hajj by the Kaduna State Muslims Pilgrims Board in Nigeria
24 Aug 2009
21:06
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund Releases Monthly Portfolio Update
19:08
Nigeria builds first Ozone village in Africa
19:08
Sealing the Hole and Sealing the Deal / Resolve of African Countries 135 days Before 2010 Deadline for Total Phase out of CFCs / Confirming the success story as 100% African countries are set to meet the deadline
15:51
IBM Expands Corporate Service Corps in Emerging Markets
14:54
Bristow Group Announces Preferred Dividend and Mandatory Conversion of Preferred Stock
12:50
CDII Trading, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of China Direct Industries, and China Armco Metals Enter into Strategic Partnership Agreement for Metals Procurement
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